Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: Featured Interview

Featured interviews from SpeedwayMedia.com

  • NASCAR BTS: Venturini Racing Pays It Forward for Kevin Swindell

    NASCAR BTS: Venturini Racing Pays It Forward for Kevin Swindell

    Whether on dirt or asphalt, racers compete with all the hearts on track. But when a fellow racer is injured or in need of help off the track, true racers pay it forward with whatever help is needed.

    This week’s NASCAR Behind the Scenes looks at a true racing family, the Venturinis, who are paying it forward by organizing a golf tournament to help Kevin Swindell, who was injured in a heat race qualifying for the Knoxville Nationals back in August.

    Swindell’s car tangled with others, flipped, and landed hard on its wheels leaving the 26 year old racer with serious spinal cord and back injuries, including the lack of mobility below the waist. Swindell has completed several surgeries and a hospital stay and currently continues his rehabilitation on an outpatient basis in the Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville, KY.

    “We are putting together a fundraising golf tournament to help Kevin,” Billy Venturini said. “We know it is going to be a lengthy process with his rehabilitation. Kevin drove for me and run some races. And there is a friendship there too.”

    “So, we just wanted to try to help out a little bit. I went through a spinal cord injury myself back in 2005 without any paralysis. So, I felt like this was my chance to pay it forward and help him out.”

    “Kevin is in Louisville right now at a spinal cord rehabilitation center and is now in outpatient,” Venturini continued. “They had to get an apartment for him to live up there. His mother and his girlfriend are there helping to take care of him. He also has a young daughter.”

    “So, that’s basically what it is all for. I know he has medical insurance so I don’t know if there will be bills there that are not covered. But I do know that the other expenses in having his family care for him and to live there for four to six months during his rehab. So, that’s what we’re trying to help with, the housing, the missed time from work for the family and to help support his little girl through all this.”

    The golf tournament, dubbed the #BulldogStrong Golf Tournament, is a collaborative effort with the Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports (WAM), a nonprofit charity of NASCAR. Given that affiliation, 100% of the proceeds of the golfing event will go directly to help with Swindell’s recovery expenses.

    “We are doing the golf tournament at Rocky River Golf Course, right next to Charlotte Motor Speedway,” Venturini said. “It will be the week of the Charlotte race on October 6th.”

    “We did a couple of different sponsorship deals, with a Presenting Sponsor which is Toyota. There were two Gold level sponsors,  Curb and Allegiant, and Hoosier did the Silver level. We have hole sponsorships and I think we have sold out on those sponsorships.

    “So, we sold all the holes, all the major sponsorship packages, the longest drives and closest to the pins, all to raise money for this deal.”

    Not only have the sponsors turned out to pay it forward for Swindell but his fellow racers and those in the industry have done so as well.

    “We were planning for 128 golfers, which was the max the golf course said they could host because of the number of golf carts,” Venturini said. “But I have a friend who donated more carts so we can be at 144, which is the max for an 18 hole golf course.  So, they will start two four-somes on each hole.  We actually have had to close registration and have a waiting list to play golf.”

    “I would say that 98% of those involved are in the racing world.  There are a handful of different drivers coming out, like Kyle Larson, Erik Jones, Ross Kenseth, Brennan Poole, Justin Boston, and Matt DiBenedetto.”

    Venturini also credits his girlfriend for coming up with the gold tournament idea. After that, he said it was an ‘easy sell’ to the racing community to pull it all together.

    “I also have to give a ton of credit to my girlfriend,” Venturini said. “We were playing golf right after it happened. I was texting Kevin during that round of golf and I was like ‘Damn, I feel bad about his mother and his girlfriend and his little girl. They are all working so hard to do this deal for him.’

    My girlfriend said that we should do something and she was right. So, she suggested a golf tournament and she has helped so much with all of the logistics. I have the ties to the people, so that’s what I handled.”

    “When I talked to people, they all said that they wanted to help but just didn’t know how to go about it. So, I just basically give everyone a platform for something they already wanted to do. Because all these people, everyone wanted to help.”

    Venturini acknowledged that while there is competition for rides and on the track, Kevin is one of those special racers that everyone rallies around.

    “Kevin kind of falls into a rare category, which is that he is a true racer,” Venturini said. “We’ve come from a family of racers and we’ve done this our whole lives. And in all honesty, we’re in that community. There are a lot of racers that you see running that aren’t ‘true’ racers. Those that have grown up in it and have been saturated in it are part of the community. And Kevin is part of that fraternity.”

    “So, when I called on all these people, it was a really easy sell to get all these people to come out and do this and give. Racers don’t call on racers unless it is a needed situation.”

    And while the golf tournament is all about raising the dollars needed, Venturini also feels that it is a show of support that is much needed as Swindell goes through the long road of recovery.

    “I know this is so important to him,” Venturini said. “This support is helping him a ton. He is making good strides and there is a good chance that this will work out favorably for him. But it will be a long road ahead. And we racers have to stick together and keep paying it forward.”

    “It was ten years ago when I got hurt. I wasn’t lucky I broke my neck and had a spinal cord injury but I walked out of the hospital. I had six months of rehabilitation but that was nothing.”

    “Kevin’s going to have a tougher road than I had. I wasn’t looking to pay it forward but when it happened, I knew that was what I needed to do and what we all needed to do.”

    “We’ll be able to give Kevin a nice size check when this is all over.”

    For more information on the #BulldogStrong Golf Tournament Benefitting Injured Driver Kevin Swindell, visit www.KevinSwindellGolfTournament.com and @GolfForSwindell on Twitter.

  • Jeremy Clements Chasing Best Season of his Career

    Jeremy Clements Chasing Best Season of his Career

    Jeremy Clements is in the midst of his best season since he began racing full-time in the XFINITY Series in 2011. He is currently 11th in the points standings, chasing Ryan Reed who is 66 points ahead in 10th place.

    Eleventh place may not seem like anything to brag about until you realize that everyone ahead of him has Sprint Cup backing. Surrounded by names like Roush Fenway Racing, JR Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racings, Jeremy Clements Racing is David to their Goliath.

    This small organization is based out of their hometown, Spartanburg, South Carolina and is owned by Clements and his father, Tony. Another family business, Clements Automotive, provides the racing engines for the team.

    Building their own engines cuts their costs and, as Clements explains, is “really the only reason we can race.”

    Clements, driving his No. 51 Chevrolet, has eight career top-10s including a 10th at Dover International Raceway in May. He has also earned nine top-15s this year showing a consistency that has been missing in previous seasons. His previous best ranking at year end was 14th in 2012.

    The improvement this year, says Clements, is because “We’ve had more sponsorship here and there to buy the things we need to make the cars better. We’re running the R07 engines this year that we built over the winter time, just running better stuff and not having parts failures.”

    “It’s not like I’ve just started figuring out how to drive better,” he quipped, “our equipment is better.”

    While most of their earnings are funneled back into the team, more sponsorship has enabled them to elevate the team to a more competitive level.

    “We race off the purse and when we have more funding available, we use it to buy tires and for upgrades. Jim Sealy with US Petroleum and guys like AllSouthElectric.com, St. Clair Foods and  RepairableVehicles.com have helped us out a lot.”

    “It’s a money game,” Clements continued, “and all the big teams are in the top 10 and to beat them is really hard to do. Eleventh is wonderful. All we can do is keep trying to improve and doing the best we can.”

    As Clements works toward breaking into the top 10 in points, his competitive season has caught the eye of a new sponsor.

    “We’ll have a big sponsor for Dover (International Speedway), the Dover DOT, the biggest sponsor we’ve ever had. It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to see what we can do there.”

    Though family owned teams are rare in today’s NASCAR, Jeremy Clements Racing is proof of what can be accomplished with talent, determination and perseverance.

  • Alex Bowman – Moving Forward One Race at a Time

    Alex Bowman – Moving Forward One Race at a Time

    Alex Bowman became accustomed to success at a young age. He began racing quarter midgets in 2000 when he was seven-years-old, earning nine national championships and 165 feature wins by 2006. He went on to win two Rookie of the Year titles, one in 2011 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East division and the second in 2012 in the ARCA Racing Series. In 2013, Bowman moved up to the NASCAR XFINITY Series where he captured two poles, finishing the season ranked 11th.

    However, his early career was not without its difficulties. When he was 16, Bowman was involved in a wreck during a USAC midget race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway dirt track and suffered extensive injuries.

    He rattled off his injuries nonchalantly, like items on a shopping list, saying, “In 2010 I broke both my collarbones, broke all my ribs on my right side, punctured and collapsed my lungs. I was in the ICU seven days. It didn’t really slow me down. It’s part of that style of racing, it happens a lot. You just have to be ready to deal with it.”

    One of the first questions he asked his doctor was, “When can I race again?”

    When asked if the accident left him with any lingering doubts or concerns about racing, Bowman, who also sustained a concussion, said he doesn’t remember the crash and says, “that’s probably a good thing. I don’t think about it at all.”

    In 2014 when he was first presented with the opportunity to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series he told me, “I didn’t necessarily want to go to Cup racing when I did, but it’s what I had to do. I didn’t really have any other opportunities on the table. I’m glad I did, though; I’ve really been enjoying it.

    “It was go backward or go forward, I chose to go forward.”

    The transition to the Sprint Cup Series has been challenging. His first season in the series was with BK Racing and he finished the year in 35th place. In 2015, Bowman signed with Tommy Baldwin Racing to drive the No. 7 Chevy and is currently 33rd in the points standings. His best finish so far this season was 16th at Talladega Superspeedway.

    “My contract was up, Bowman explained. “I felt like it was a better opportunity over here at TBR and a better place for me to be. I’m really happy to be here at TBR.”

    Bowman has learned to adopt a different mindset since moving to the Cup Series.

    “It was a different style of racing for me,” he explained. “It went from going to the racetrack to win to going to the racetrack, managing expectations and having different goals. That changes a lot in how you race and the things that go along with that.”

    The improvements since he’s been with TBR may seem miniscule to those on the outside looking in, but Bowman is confident that the team is moving in the right direction and that he’s with the right people. The Bojangles’ Southern 500 was a perfect example of their determination.

    The weekend began with a disappointing qualifying session relegating Bowman to a 35th starting position and the race was challenging as well. But Bowman recovered from being a lap down, twice, to bring home a 24th place finish.

    His chemistry with the team is evident when Bowman talks about his working relationship with his crew chief, Tommy Baldwin.

    “Everything’s been good working with Tommy. He’s a little excitable on the radio sometimes. But he’s just an old-school racer; he’s a lot of fun.  I calm him down (on the radio) more than he calms me down,” Bowman said laughing.

    And the feeling is mutual for team owner Tommy Baldwin; he picked up the option on Bowman’s contract for 2016.

    “We’ve got some great things happening right now and the most important part of all our plans was signing Alex as early as possible,” Baldwin said in a June 30 press release. “Now we can continue to focus on the rest of the parts and pieces needed to continue our forward progress.”

    The 22-year-old Bowman also displays a maturity beyond his years.

    “I’ve listened to a lot of drivers throw a lot of fits on the radio and I don’t think it does them any good. I get as mad as anybody, but I feel like throwing a fit and making yourself look like an idiot just doesn’t do you any good. He’s my crew chief, but he’s also my boss so I try to be calm about it.

    While Bowman pursues his Cup career, he has also competed in other series and worked with other teams including JR Motorsports. In 2014, he raced in two XFINITY Series events at Charlotte and Phoenix. The opportunity came after a chance meeting.

    “We (Bowman and Dale Earnhardt Jr.) were riding around at driver intros before Richmond and just got to talking and we were able to put something together. It was a lot of fun. I’m really thankful for Dale and everybody at JR Motorsports.

    “We ran really well at Phoenix. I really feel like we had a shot to win that race but ran out of fuel came up  a lap and a half short, but that’s part of it.”

    This season, Bowman ran a Camping World Truck Series race for JR Motorsports at Michigan, finishing 11th and would consider more rides outside the Cup Series.

    “I’m open to racing anything. I want to win races in whatever I can. I want to win championships in whatever I can, if that’s a truck or Xfinity car, I’ll drive whatever. But obviously right now I have this Cup deal and I’m really focused on that.

    “We’re taking it one race at a time. We’re really just trying to have good runs and improve. We’re a small team, a single-car organization; we just got to keep getting better and build on what we have.”

    As the season winds down, Bowman and Tommy Baldwin Racing have one goal; to make their team the best it can be. Race by race, they are moving forward, together.

     

  • Tyler Reddick Looks to Secure First Career Championship

    Tyler Reddick Looks to Secure First Career Championship

    Going into this past weekend’s event at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Tyler Reddick was in the catbird’s seat for the championship. Though following some contact late in the race and a 19th place finish, he has fallen from first to third in points.

    The 19-year-old entered the weekend without any road course experience and got up to speed quickly, qualifying fourth for the event.

    “I think our weekend has gone well so far,” he commented pre-race. “Practice, we got up to speed pretty quick and we’re going to be rolling off fourth. It’s gone pretty good considering a lot of people I’m competing against have ran this course before or have road course experience.”

    He added that in learning the course, there isn’t one particular spot to watch – but rather how you handle the whole track.

    “The whole course is (tough) in general and understanding it’s about momentum and not getting back to the gas too quick cause in a sense if you get off in one little area, it can mess up your whole lap for you,” he explained. “It’s very important to not make a mistake and stay in your pattern and rhythm.”

    The youngster also added that it was great to have Alex Tagliani as a teammate in leaning on him for advice.

    “He’s given me a lot of valuable information to get up to speed in practice,” he commented.

    Throughout the race, Reddick was able to up front and looked to on his way to a solid finish. However, he would get tangled up with Gray Gaulding in turn eight with three laps to go, bringing out the caution. He would then lose two laps getting cosmetic repairs on pit road, resulting in a 19th place finish.

    It marks only the third time this season that Reddick has finished outside of the top-10, and the first finish outside of the top-10 since Texas Motor Speedway in June.

    “I think our season has gone pretty good,” he commented. “We’ve been fortunate to have two wins. I feel that we could’ve had a few more wins, but that’s the way racing goes at times.”

    While he has gone to a lot of these tracks without any experience, he has had experience in his corner with the boss Brad Keselowski. He notes that Keselowski has been great on helping at those tracks.

    With the 19th place finish at CTMP, he now currently sits third in points, 15 points behind Erik Jones. Though when it comes to the points situation, it’s something that Reddick doesn’t focus on, but whether just continuing to be strong at each track.

    “We’re just here trying to get the best finish that we can each and every week,” he commented. “I don’t know what the points are unless someone tells me; that’s the only reason I do know. People come by and tell me, ‘you’re leading by this or trailing by this much’ and its like, ‘I guess I know now. I wasn’t thinking about it beforehand’. I just focus on the next race ahead and don’t let it too carried away.”

    With that in mind, he also doesn’t look forward to a particular race on the schedule, but whether the next race that is ahead. For him, there’s no favoritism from track-to-track as he believes he and team “have a great, fair chance of winning every single one”.

    When the Camping World Truck Series returns to action, it will be at Chicagoland Speedway. Reddick ran the event last year, scoring a solid fourth place finish. Another strong run could certainly help in getting closer to possibly his first career series championship.

  • Daniel Hemric Finding Groove with String of Success

    Daniel Hemric Finding Groove with String of Success

    On Sunday at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Daniel Hemric kept his nose out of trouble throughout the entire race, coming home for a fourth place finish.

    Going into the race, he admitted that the weekend thus far had been a battle with this year’s event being his first on a road course.

    “You may have one good section of the race track, and clearly mess up the other side,” he told SpeedwayMedia.com pre-race. “It’s about putting it together and coming out in one piece. Everybody at NTS Motorsports on the California Clean Power Chevy has given me a great opportunity with a great truck to drive. I just have to do my part to put it all together, and get to the front during the race.”

    For Hemric, it marks his second straight top-five, and fifth straight top-10 as he looks to close out his rookie campaign in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

    “It’s been up and down, but we’ve definitely hit our stride and taken advantage of situations where we weren’t on our game, and the days we were had some off moments,” he commented of his season. “We’ve been trying to take all that in, and put ourselves in a decent position for the rest of the year.”

    The season hasn’t gone this smooth all year, as in the first five events, Hemric only posted one top-10 finish, a 10th at Kansas Speedway. Though since Charlotte in May, it seems he has found his groove with only one finish outside of the top-10 in the last 10 races.

    He says the success has come in learning to how to take advantage of the opportunities out there to make the most of a day where they may be off a little bit.

    “Earlier in the year when we were having an off-day, we’d get ourselves in trouble and have a DNF or bad finish,” he commented. “Later in the year, just make the most situations that aren’t great and maximize your points to put yourself in a better position down the road.”

    With the string of success, it’d certainly be huge for the rookie to close out his 2015 campaign with a win, especially since he isn’t sure whether he will be back next season. Though turning the solid finishes into a win is something Hemric says is all about making their program better.

    “We’re really trying to take our program to the next level and thanks to everybody at California Clean Power and NTS for giving us everything to build our team,” he commented. “We just have to put it all together. It’s tough to win races in the series – it’s really tough. These guys – (Matt) Crafton, (Johnny) Sauter – they’ve been doing it a long time. Everything has to go right, but in the same sense, we just have to put ourselves in the right position and have it fall our way.”

  • Jeff Lapcevich Completes Career with Podium Finish

    Jeff Lapcevich Completes Career with Podium Finish

    With 15 years under his belt of CASCAR and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing, Jeff Lapcevich is calling it a career and hanging up the helmet. The veteran made his final series start on Sunday in the Pinty’s presents the Clarington 200 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, finishing third.

    “I’m disappointed,” he admitted. “I think we had the race won and then the caution came out and we have to restart with Alex (Tagliani).”

    Starting the race from the third spot, Lapcevich ran up front all race long, taking the lead on lap 34. He looked to have the gap maintained between himself and second place race runner Alex Tagliani, when the caution flew for fluid on the track at lap 38.

    “I think we had a really good car,” Lapcevich noted. “We led a bunch of laps and I was disappointed to see that caution come out. I knew it was coming, but it sucked that it came out.”

    On the restart with 10 laps to go, Lapcevich was able to grab the advantage through turn one, but Tagliani was able to keep close, making door-to-door contact with Lapcevich in turn three. The result would be Tagliani taking the lead while Lapcevich slid back to fourth.

    “He’s Alex – if he can get to you, he can send you off the track and that’s what he did,” Lapcevich continued. “Maybe he’ll think twice about it next time because we’re going to be around for a long time. It’s disappointing finishing off with a third place finish. It’s not what we wanted.”

    Lapcevich was able to get back to Tagliani on a following restart with three laps to go, giving him a shot in turn one and sending him off line and back a few spots.

    “You live by the sword, you die by the sword,” Lapcevich remarked. “He’s pushed me around in the past and I wasn’t taking it today. I could’ve easily rooted L.P. (Dumoulin) – I know I roughed him up a bit and got him out of shape a bit, and he did a masterful job of staying fast and staying on line. That’s good, clean racing – not when you knock a guy three lanes out of the way to pass him. That’s what he did to me, and what I did to him.”

    Lapcevich then held on to third in the closing laps behind Jason Hathaway and L.P. Dumoulin. The veteran admits that there was the temptation to perhaps get into Dumoulin and Hathaway a bit at the end, but that’s not the way he races. He noted that they have always raced him with respect, and he is going to do the same thing in return.

    “If it hadn’t had been L.P and Jason but somebody else, I might be sitting where Jason is right now,” he added. “I’m proud of the way we race and that’s what I try to teach my kids – you race other people the way you want to be raced.”

    The decision for Lapcevich comes as a result of both his kids, 15-year-old Cayden and 11-year-old Treyten, being heavily involved in racing.

    “All along we’ve been a part-time team and been grooming the boys,” Lapcevich noted. “I’m happy and sad. It sucks to get out of the seat, but I love watching the boys race. They make me really proud.”

    Cayden made his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut earlier this year and has since run five total races this season. Cayden had a strong run on Sunday, finishing 10th despite starting from the rear of the field due to missing qualifying.

    “I’m really proud of Cayden’s effort,” Jeff commented. “To go home yesterday to run the Super Stock and he has such a good points lead there, and to drive it in the top-10 is just a great day. Couldn’t be happier.”

    Currently, Cayden is leading the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series St. Onge Recreation Super Stock standings at Sunset Speedway, in search of his second straight division championship. Meanwhile, Treyten (pictured right) is currently leading the Signs of Innovation Mighty Mini division standings in his rookie season. The boys both have a pair of nights left in their respective schedules.

    “I lose a lot of sleep over that deal, I think more so than over my own racing program,” Jeff admitted. “We bring the cars home and work on them. The kids always do a good job and make me proud. They make good decisions on the track, and they’re good fair racers. I like the way they race.

    “Win, lose or draw, I’m happy.”

  • Marco Andretti ‘In A Good Place’

    Marco Andretti ‘In A Good Place’

    Marco Andretti, driver of the No. 27 Snapple Honda for Andretti Autosport, is not only racing on his home track in Pocono this weekend, but he is also feeling ‘in a good place’ in his eleventh year in IndyCar.

    “I feel like I’m just coming into my own as a driver,” Andretti said. “I think it took a little too long, but I feel I’m in a good place.”

    “I feel like we can compete anywhere we roll off,” Andretti continued. “That’s a good feeling.”

    While Andretti feels he can compete anywhere, he is definitely looking forward to competing at the track where his family has so much history. In fact, his grandfather Mario has won at Pocono, his father Michael has finished third, and all three generations, including Marco, have sat on the Pocono Raceway pole.

    “If this track was anywhere in the world, I would love to race here,” Andretti said. “I honestly think it’s made for these race cars.”

    “It’s such a challenge, it’s so fun, and it presents good racing. And selfishly I can stay in my own bed.”

    Andretti has had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Pocono, having had two starts, one from the pole, but only has a ninth place best finish to show for it. He can, however, make some history at the track if he completes 200 laps at Pocono and then the final 85 laps of the season at Sonoma.

    If that occurs, Andretti would have completed 2,232 laps, joining competitor Tony Kanaan in the history books with his 3,305 laps completed.

    Andretti may be in a good place but he will also be facing some challenges at a race track that is definitely unique, as well as tricky to boot. And this weekend, the race will pose an even bigger challenge with the introduction of the new aero kit that occurred for the 2015 season.

    “I think it’s unknown because of how unique this place is,” Andretti said of the new aero package at Pocono.  “We’re pretty similar to Indianapolis, I guess you could say, with just the configuration of the car, except for the rear wing, I believe.”

    “Every track we’ve gone to this year has seemed to present a unique challenge.  It’s different all the time.  You can’t just roll off with previous setups and be successful.”

    “We’ve been really working at it, just trying to stay with it.”

    While comfortable at present, Andretti also has had some manufacturer changes to face when it comes to racing at his home track. In 2013, he ran with Chevy as his manufacturer and then last season ran with Honda as he is now.

    “Quite honestly, I think Honda definitely had the better fuel mileage in 2013. But that was with the single turbo,” Andretti said. “As soon as they went to the double, I think Chevy definitely caught up in that respect.”

    “But 2013 was too good to be true for a while,” Andretti continued. “We got a little mixed up with strategy. I don’t remember exactly the scenario. We led a ton of laps (88). The car was so good.”

    “Then last year was my fault,” Andretti said. “I had a pit-lane violation. Even with one short yellow, we were able to keep it in the top-10 or come back to the top-10.”

    “We had a decent car.”

    Andretti is also feeling in a good place as far as his No. 27 team, including racing under the watchful eye of his father.

    “Quite honestly, it’s been really good,” Andretti said. “I wouldn’t change anything on the 27 stand.   Dad is extremely good at calling races.   Dad and I, we’ve been getting along great.”

    “I think we’ve been stronger. We let a few go, but I’m really happy with the 27 team in general across the board.”

    “I don’t really know anything otherwise.  We’ve just been making this deal work.”

    Although Andretti acknowledged being in a good place behind the wheel of his IndyCar ride, he also thought that he might just consider a Formula One opportunity if offered.

    “It depends on a lot of the logistics, for sure,” Andretti said. “I mean, Formula One is still the cream of the crop for me.”

    “Having said that, it would be tough to leave because I am just coming into my own as a driver. Formula One would be like starting all over. The expectations wouldn’t be high maybe with that team. If you can go beat your teammate over there, that’s what people look at.”

    “Yeah, I would definitely take a strong look at it. But my heart right now lies over here. Those cars are definitely fun, but this is what I’ve grown up doing.”

    And just as he said for now, Andretti is in a good place and focused on getting the best finish that he can at Pocono, especially since he technically is not yet out of contention for the championship.  Andretti currently sits in the seventh spot in the standings.

    “It takes me staying out of trouble,” Andretti said. “You know, this is definitely one race that counts, especially this year.”

    “If I have any hope for the title, it’s a must win for me. Even with a win, I need some misfortunes of a few other drivers.”

    “Maybe some of the guys at the front, they’re going to be conservative, I just have to worry about me and try to maximize what we can do.  The rest will hopefully take care of itself.”

    “But we have to win this one for sure.”

     

  • NASCAR BTS: Stewart Haas Sponsor Code 3 Associates

    NASCAR BTS: Stewart Haas Sponsor Code 3 Associates

    While Danica Patrick may just have scored a brand new sponsor for the next race season, Stewart Haas Racing has another unique sponsor relationship with a nonprofit organization by the name of Code 3 Associates.

    This week’s NASCAR Behind the Scenes takes a closer look at Code 3 Associates, their unique synergy with an elite NASCAR team, and their new relationship with up and coming driver Cole Custer.

    “Code 3 was a company that I will readily admit that I half-heartedly started in the 1980s when I was a police officer,” Eric Bagdikian, President, Code 3 Associates, said.  “Right around the mid-1990s, my wife Nan Stewart had retired off the road as a California state humane officer and was in very high demand to teach and consult.”

    “So, Code 3 became the perfect platform for her to work off to do that. She has really been the driving and passionate force behind Code 3 Associates.”

    “As things developed, Code 3 branched out into two areas,” Bagdikian continued. “My wife and a former partner saw a need for animal welfare and care in times of natural disasters. At the time, there was little or nothing in the federal incident command structure has various different emergency service functions (ESFs). At that time, the realization of animals as part of the family was just coming out into the open as part of that protocol.”

    “Nan and my partner saw this but also saw the need for a tool, which gave birth the BART, our 82-foot hauler, known affectionately as the Big Animal Rescue Truck. It literally houses everything that operators and responders are going to immediately need to respond to the needs of animals in a disaster.”

    “The other side of the company that developed concurrently, because of Nan’s expertise, was training. At the time, there were only a few organizations that specialized in animal control training. This has become more important now because training is the first line for liability and risk management.”

    “So, over the years, Code 3 has continued to develop in this area. One of the bigger animal control organizations was National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) and Code 3 ended up joining forces.  So, that is how Code 3 Associates came about and has evolved.”

    Code 3 Associates also has a very unique story when it comes to their involvement in NASCAR.

    “We have a benefactor who has a very, very strong interest in animals and are big NASCAR fans,” Bagdikian said. “Putting the two together, we are able to combine their passions, get into NASCAR and provide a cause to apply to that interest.”

    “We looked at various different teams and drivers but back in the early 2000s Code 3 received an unsolicited donation of $500 from the Tony Stewart Foundation. The craziest things happen from the smallest seeds. So, that was the link. We approached Stewart-Haas Racing and it was the perfect recipe.”

    “At the time Ryan Newman was one of the drivers on the team and of course Tony Stewart. They both have a very strong interest in animals. They both love animals. And Tony operates his Foundation, which provides for animals and/or children.”

    “So, that’s how it all came about. It was a synergy that was waiting for a catalyst. It just so happened that Code 3 was the catalyst. We met with the VP of Business Development for SHR and we were truly amazing at his reaction to the synergy. Stewart-Haas has taken an active interest in what we are doing in almost a daily basis. They have been very supportive of Code 3 and animal welfare issues in general.”

    Code 3 Associates and Stewart-Haas Racing also combine their missions in very down to earth unique ways.

    “Code 3 holds a couple of training sessions at the race shop during the year,” Bagdikian said. “And that’s been at Stewart-Haas insistence. But they do have one complaint because when we are there all of the workers want to come out of the shop and play with the animals.”

    “They’re not getting much done, but their frame of mind is much better when they get back to work!”

    One of the most unique aspects of the Code 3 Associates partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing is their interest in the development of a seventeen-year-old racer Cole Custer.

    Cole is a very bright, well-educated, outgoing young man. You don’t get that from him initially, but he is. And he really cares,” Bagdikian said. “When we initially started talking about this, Cole does bring the young element to the table.”

    “And in my opinion, we have sold that generation short. I’ll call them kids, but that generation does care. They really do want to help. Cole is emblematic of that. NASCAR really needs to culture that generation into their fan base. So, it’s a perfect platform for that generation’s passions to also make that bridge to NASCAR.”

    “While nobody can predict a cut and dry timetable, right now our mutual interest is really Cole’s development,” Bagdikian continued. “Some of us are focusing on the competition end of it and some of us are focusing on the off-track development. And that is where we see providing Cole the opportunity to represent the cause that he believes in as us helping him with his development.”

    “I am a firm believer that as each day, month, year goes by, that representation will be more and more present. If we can help him grow and develop and benefit this cause, we are all for it.”

    The most important partnership for Code 3 Associates is that they are fulfilling their mission with a long-term commitment to drivers like Cole Custer and teams like Stewart-Haas Racing.

    “One of the things that I like is that drivers like Cole are coming in with no sense of entitlement,” Bagdikian said. “The vast majority of them have had to compete. Yeah, it’s all fine and well to say you are part of a team, but when you’re out on the track you are competing for yourself.”

    “Cole has really worked and honed his craft with diligence and determination. I think this is one thing that really separates our sport from others as far as our up and coming athletes.  There are not scholarships. They have to come up on their own merits. The recruitment opportunities in our sport are not as prevalent as in other sports.”

    “So, I definitely I think we are in for the long-term with this NASCAR relationship.”

    For more information about this unique organization and its NASCAR commitment, check out www.Code3Associates.org.

     

  • Ray Black Jr. Under the Sea and On the Race Track

    Ray Black Jr. Under the Sea and On the Race Track

    It is not often that a NASCAR driver marries his passion for racing with a passion for scuba diving. But NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ray Black Jr. has done just that, balancing his love for being on the track as well as under the sea.

    “I grew up scuba diving,” the driver of the No. 07 ScubaLife.com Chevrolet for SS Green Light Racing said. “My father got me into it at a very young age. I was born in Alabama, but we moved to Florida when I was about ten years old.”

    “I got into scuba diving then. I had a good time, enjoyed it and stuck with it. I ended up having my own business from it, like inspections on boats and salvage too. So, I still do some of that when I can.”

    While Black has thoroughly enjoyed his life underwater, he was also bitten by the racing bug in his early teenage years.

    “I just like going fast in just about anything,” Black said. “I started watching racing on TV and got hooked on it.”

    “I got my Dad to get me a race car. It took me awhile to convince him, but he finally did, and we were good at it. We started winning a little bit here and there and he turned the reins over.”

    “I was young and 14 years old. So, he thought it was just a phase. It took a while to convince him but then I think he saw the light.”

    “I went to mini-Cups, a full-body quarter scale race car. I raced that at Orlando Speed World and other small tracks in Florida. I did that for two or three years and then went straight to Pro-Trucks and late models.”

    Although Black loved going fast, he actually took a calculated step away from the sport, regrouping to focus on diving and to assess his career goals.

    “When I turned 18 years old, I stopped racing for two years to focus on diving,” Black said. “I just kept tearing things up and being irresponsible.”

    “So, I’m glad that I had to stop but then had the opportunity to get back into it. My Dad told me if I would learn diving, become an instructor for scuba and commercial, and pay my dues, he would look back into racing if I still wanted to do it.”

    “And then two years later, I turned 22 and he asked me if I wanted to get back into it. And I did. We started doing late models and I started doing a lot better at it.”

    “I definitely felt that I had matured, was more focused and was not taking it for granted,” Black said. “I got a second chance and it’s really rewarding. You start realizing that you can’t tear things up all the time. You start seeing the other side of things and have more respect for it all.”

    Black also feels that he and his team have really come together this year. He is, however, a bit harder on himself as a driver, feeling that he still has room to grow.

    “As a team, I would give us an A grade or maybe an A-minus,” Black said. “The team chemistry is awesome. We have one of the most lively teams out here. We bring a lot of people who go to all the races. They pump everybody up and get everyone going.”

    “We just have fun and make sure that no one is too serious. We’re all here to have fun. Once you make it too serious, it is not enjoyable and it kind of wears on you. I think everyone is having a good time. We like them and they like us. I think we’ve bonded really well.”

    “As a driver, I’m probably a B-plus. I’m not exactly where I want to be, especially because I haven’t been to most of the tracks. It’s a learning curve.”

    One of Black’s major goals is to get into the top-10 in the point standings.

    “I think we’re doing a great job. We’re fighting for a top-10 in points and we’re on the verge of it,” Black said. “There are some circumstances that have held us back. I’m not making excuses but we have blown two motors and you can’t fight those.”

    “You kind of plan for a few bad races but to have those things happen, now we can’t have any mistakes. Other than that, we’re having a good season. Once we get in the top-10 in points, I’ll feel a lot better about it.”

    Unfortunately, Black did not have the race he wanted at Pocono Raceway this weekend. He wrecked trying to avoid the No. 94 of Wendell Chavous. The impact from the inside wall locked up his transmission, preventing him from being able to re-fire and finish the race.

    And while he finished a disappointing 24th, he still maintained his 11th place position in the point standings and will go on to Michigan seeking further movement forward.

    Until then, Black will continue to balance his racing and his scuba diving, believing that the two sports are definitely complementary and synergistic.

    “When you’re under water, you are by yourself,” Black said. “You have a good team above you to help you out but you have to make the final decisions. At the end of the day, it is all you by yourself under the water.”

    “So, that’s like racing where you give all the feedback you can and you let them set you up the best they can. But at the end of the day, you have to perform, make sure you stay out of trouble and finish.”

    “It’s just all focus, mental preparedness and physicality in both sports. Most of it is just staying calm under pressure. So, there are a lot of things that transpire to make it is what it is. And I love it.”

    “It’s cool to be at the helm on the track and underwater,” Black continued. “If there is a mistake, it’s hard to blame anyone but yourself.”

    “You have to step up to the plate and that makes you that much more of a better person.”

  • Brett Moffitt Sweet on Ice Cream and Good Pocono Run

    Brett Moffitt Sweet on Ice Cream and Good Pocono Run

    This is a sweet weekend for Brett Moffitt and his No. 34 All American Food Front Row Motorsports team. They are not only promoting National Root Beer Float day but also hoping for a sweet finish at Pocono Raceway in the Windows 10 400.

    Moffitt is most excited about promoting National Root Beer Float Day for A&W restaurants on August 6th. Anyone can ask for a root beer float at any A&W store between 2:00 p.m. and closing and get it for free.  The only catch is that participants will be asked to make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Foundation to pay it forward.

    “It’s really cool and it is a really fun thing to have on the car,” Moffitt said. “It’s amazing that this huge company A&W is doing that.

    “They don’t need to do that, but it shows what’s in their hearts. It will help everyone have a little enjoyment in their day and also help Wounded Warriors benefit from it too.”

    Moffitt advised that the saying ‘We all scream for ice cream’ definitely applies to him and is why he is so excited about the root beer float promotion on his race car.

    “I like anything sweet,” Moffitt said. “The inner kid in me loves candy, ice cream and especially root beer floats. Any chance I get to snack out, I’m good with it. It’s a free excuse for me.”

    “I’m going to head for the nearest A&W in my area on August 6,” Moffitt said. “This is the second year we’ve done this so we should be good.”

    Moffitt is also excited that the Root Beer Float promotion will also benefit a charity that he feels strongly about.

    “I haven’t been directly involved in the Wounded Warrior Project, but I would sure like to,” Moffitt said. “I think it’s a great cause and something that a lot of people overlook.

    “Without the warriors who paid such a price, we wouldn’t be standing here doing our jobs today. So, that means a lot to me.”

    With sweets on his car and a car that was good off the truck, Moffitt is also looking forward to a good run at Pocono Raceway in the Cup race on Sunday.

    “We actually unloaded and we were pretty happy with our race car,” Moffitt said. “So, that’s a good sign.

    “The biggest thing is that they got rid of the bumps in Turn Two. So, we’re carrying quite a bit more speed through there than we were a month or so ago. Trying to adjust to that is the newest thing that I’m worried about. Other than that, it’s going good and I’m happy with the car.

    “You can shift in all three corners but I haven’t decided which ones are really better yet. I’ve done it both ways and run the same lap times both ways. So, I don’t really know which one I’m going to stick with.

    “I’m sure in traffic in the race, you’ll shift more and run faster laps. I still think it will be big to take care of your transmission and brakes throughout the race to save it all for the end.”

    Another sweet development for Moffitt is his Rookie of the Year battle with Jeb Burton. In fact, the two young drivers are actually tied at present at 151 points.

    “Yes, we are tied but he’s been in every race and I haven’t,” Moffitt said. “It’s an odd battle and I’m not sure how everything is going to work out. They take your 17 best races I believe it is. So, I don’t know.

    “We’re just going out here every weekend and doing the best we can. At the end of the year if I get it, that’s great. And if not, then it kind of sucks.

    “It’s hard to really focus on that week in and week out and with all the stipulations that go along with it. So, for me, it’s go out, perform, and if you beat him on the track every time, it will be hard to lose it.”

    Moffitt admitted that his journey to racing the No. 34 A&W All American Food Ford has taken many twists and turns. But the young racer admitted that it has been sweet and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

    “It’s been a weird journey and not your traditional way up. I ran the K&N East Series for five years and had a lot of success there. I started testing for Michael Waltrip Racing in their Cup cars at the end of 2011 until NASCAR did away with the testing. I’m still under contract with Michael Waltrip Racing but I didn’t get the chance to run XFINITY or Trucks much.

    “It’s a weird way to get here but am thankful to the opportunity to be here.

    “I also got the opportunity to fill in for Brian Vickers this year in the No. 55 car and that was a great opportunity as well. And for the remainder of this year, I’ve found a great home here at Front Row. It’s been a really good year so far and I hope we can continue it on.

    “Ever since the first few races I’ve come over here, we’ve really been working well together. It’s a great group of guys. We’re all kind of smart butts to each other but it is great chemistry for the team. And everyone knows we’re just joking. It’s a fun atmosphere but when it comes time to get stuff done, we do it. I think that makes for a great team.”

    In addition to National Root Beer Float Day, Moffitt will also soon celebrate a sweet thing of his own. He has a birthday next week and will turn 23 years old.

    “I’m not racing Watkins Glen next weekend so I’m actually going to go home to Iowa and visit my parents, family and friends for my birthday,” Moffitt said. “I haven’t been there since Christmas so it will be good to see all of them.”

    “But until then, just go get those root beer floats on August 6,” Moffitt said. “It’s a cool and easy thing to do.”